Andrea Taurisano photographer

Few countries evoke more vivid images of war and destruction than Afghanistan. Among its provinces is the extreme poor Badakshan, remotely located in the northeast of the country between the Pamir and the Hindu Kush. Badakhshan was less affected by the "war on terror" that followed Al Qaeda's attacks of 9.11.2001.

Few countries evoke more vivid images of war and destruction than Afghanistan. Among its provinces is the extreme poor Badakshan, remotely located in the northeast of the country between the Pamir and the Hindu Kush. Badakhshan was less affected by the "war on terror" that followed Al Qaeda's attacks of 9.11.2001.

Few countries evoke more vivid images of war and destruction than Afghanistan. Among its provinces is the extreme poor Badakshan, remotely located in the northeast of the country between the Pamir and the Hindu Kush. Badakhshan was less affected by the "war on terror" that followed Al Qaeda's attacks of 9.11.2001.

But a neverending, little known war unfolds in Badakshan and other mountain regions of Afghanistan. Here, death and destruction are brought about by landslides, floods, extreme erosion and the consequent loss of vital agricultural land.

But a neverending, little known war unfolds in Badakshan and other mountain regions of Afghanistan. Here, death and destruction are brought about by landslides, floods, extreme erosion and the consequent loss of vital agricultural land.

But a neverending, little known war unfolds in Badakshan and other mountain regions of Afghanistan. Here, death and destruction are brought about by landslides, floods, extreme erosion and the consequent loss of vital agricultural land.

But a neverending, little known war unfolds in Badakshan and other mountain regions of Afghanistan. Here, death and destruction are brought about by landslides, floods, extreme erosion and the consequent loss of vital agricultural land.

But a neverending, little known war unfolds in Badakshan and other mountain regions of Afghanistan. Here, death and destruction are brought about by landslides, floods, extreme erosion and the consequent loss of vital agricultural land.

But a neverending, little known war unfolds in Badakshan and other mountain regions of Afghanistan. Here, death and destruction are brought about by landslides, floods, extreme erosion and the consequent loss of vital agricultural land.

But a neverending, little known war unfolds in Badakshan and other mountain regions of Afghanistan. Here, death and destruction are brought about by landslides, floods, extreme erosion and the consequent loss of vital agricultural land.

In Badakhshan, natural hazards, lack of well developed infrastructure and nearly impenetrable landscape make transport painstakingly slow and risky.

In Badakhshan, natural hazards, lack of well developed infrastructure and nearly impenetrable landscape make transport painstakingly slow and risky.

In Badakhshan, natural hazards, lack of well developed infrastructure and nearly impenetrable landscape make transport painstakingly slow and risky.

In Badakhshan, natural hazards, lack of well developed infrastructure and nearly impenetrable landscape make transport painstakingly slow and risky.

In Badakhshan, natural hazards, lack of well developed infrastructure and nearly impenetrable landscape make transport painstakingly slow and risky.

In Badakhshan, natural hazards, lack of well developed infrastructure and nearly impenetrable landscape make transport painstakingly slow and risky.

In Badakhshan, natural hazards, lack of well developed infrastructure and nearly impenetrable landscape make transport painstakingly slow and risky. This man was walking for 2 days each way to deliver a message to another man living a couple of valleys away.

Society is still extremely patriarchal and illitteracy sky high, though things are slowly improving thanks to the efforts of a number of NGOs.

Society is still extremely patriarchal and illitteracy sky high, though things are slowly improving thanks to the efforts of a number of NGOs.

Society is still extremely patriarchal and illitteracy sky high, though things are slowly improving thanks to the efforts of a number of NGOs.

Society is still extremely patriarchal and illitteracy sky high, though things are slowly improving thanks to the efforts of a number of NGOs.

Society is still extremely patriarchal and illitteracy sky high, though things are slowly improving thanks to the efforts of a number of NGOs.

Society is still extremely patriarchal and illitteracy sky high, though things are slowly improving thanks to the efforts of a number of NGOs.

Every year, avalanches, floods and landslides sweep the landscape, killing several hundred to a few thousand of Badakhshan's people and leaving many more with absolutely nothing.  

Every year, avalanches, floods and landslides sweep the landscape, killing several hundred to a few thousand of Badakhshan's people and leaving many more with absolutely nothing.

Every year, avalanches, floods and landslides sweep the landscape, killing several hundred to a few thousand of Badakhshan's people and leaving many more with absolutely nothing.

Every year, avalanches, floods and landslides sweep the landscape, killing several hundred to a few thousand of Badakhshan's people and leaving many more with absolutely nothing.

Every year, avalanches, floods and landslides sweep the landscape, killing several hundred to a few thousand of Badakhshan's people and leaving many more with absolutely nothing.

When a debris flow strikes, a rush sometimes follows to collect rocks that may be possible to sell as building stones on the local market. But first they'll have to be carried for miles, on mule's or own back.

When a debris flow strikes, a rush sometimes follows to collect rocks that may be possible to sell as building stones on the local market. But first they'll have to be carried for miles, on mule's or own back.

When a debris flow strikes, a rush sometimes follows to collect rocks that may be possible to sell as building stones on the local market. But first they'll have to be carried for miles, on mule's or own back.

In May 2014, a giant landslide buried part of the village Ab-e-Barik and several hundreds of its people (the actual number is still unknown). Up to 60 m thick landslide deposits lied now over the lower parts of the village.

In May 2014, a giant landslide buried part of the village Ab-e-Barik and several hundreds of its people (the actual number is still unknown). Up to 60 m thick landslide deposits lied now over the lower parts of the village.

In May 2014, a giant landslide buried part of the village Ab-e-Barik and several hundreds of its people (the actual number is still unknown). Up to 60 m thick landslide deposits lied now over the lower parts of the village.

The survivors could only watch as a lake started building up behind the landslide, and even more houses disappeared.

The survivors could only watch as a lake started building up behind the landslide, and even more houses disappeared.

The survivors could only watch as a lake started building up behind the landslide, and even more houses disappeared.

The survivors could only watch as a lake started building up behind the landslide, and even more houses disappeared.

Thousands of survivors found shelter in vast tent camps set up by NGOs. Among them was the Norwegian Afghanistan Committee, for whom I was working as a geologist. But a quick response is
 more the exception than the rule: In most cases, even accessing the disaster areas is made impossible by more floods and landslides,
 by snow or risk for aid workers' safety in high tension areas. 

Thousands of survivors found shelter in vast tent camps set up by NGOs. Among them was the Norwegian Afghanistan Committee, for whom I was working as a geologist. But a quick response is
 more the exception than the rule: In most cases, even accessing the disaster areas is made impossible by more floods and landslides,
 by snow or risk for aid workers' safety in high tension areas.

Thousands of survivors found shelter in vast tent camps set up by NGOs. Among them was the Norwegian Afghanistan Committee, for whom I was working as a geologist. But a quick response is
 more the exception than the rule: In most cases, even accessing the disaster areas is made impossible by more floods and landslides,
 by snow or risk for aid workers' safety in high tension areas.

Thousands of survivors found shelter in vast tent camps set up by NGOs. Among them was the Norwegian Afghanistan Committee, for whom I was working as a geologist. But a quick response is
 more the exception than the rule: In most cases, even accessing the disaster areas is made impossible by more floods and landslides,
 by snow or risk for aid workers' safety in high tension areas.

Thousands of survivors found shelter in vast tent camps set up by NGOs. Among them was the Norwegian Afghanistan Committee, for whom I was working as a geologist. But a quick response is
 more the exception than the rule: In most cases, even accessing the disaster areas is made impossible by more floods and landslides,
 by snow or risk for aid workers' safety in high tension areas.

Thousands of survivors found shelter in vast tent camps set up by NGOs. Among them was the Norwegian Afghanistan Committee, for whom I was working as a geologist. But a quick response is
 more the exception than the rule: In most cases, even accessing the disaster areas is made impossible by more floods and landslides,
 by snow or risk for aid workers' safety in high tension areas.

Thousands of survivors found shelter in vast tent camps set up by NGOs. Among them was the Norwegian Afghanistan Committee, for whom I was working as a geologist. But a quick response is
 more the exception than the rule: In most cases, even accessing the disaster areas is made impossible by more floods and landslides,
 by snow or risk for aid workers' safety in high tension areas.

Thousands of survivors found shelter in vast tent camps set up by NGOs. Among them was the Norwegian Afghanistan Committee, for whom I was working as a geologist. But a quick response is
 more the exception than the rule: In most cases, even accessing the disaster areas is made impossible by more floods and landslides,
 by snow or risk for aid workers' safety in high tension areas.

Thousands of survivors found shelter in vast tent camps set up by NGOs. Among them was the Norwegian Afghanistan Committee, for whom I was working as a geologist. But a quick response is
 more the exception than the rule: In most cases, even accessing the disaster areas is made impossible by more floods and landslides,
 by snow or risk for aid workers' safety in high tension areas.

Thousands of survivors found shelter in vast tent camps set up by NGOs. Among them was the Norwegian Afghanistan Committee, for whom I was working as a geologist. But a quick response is
 more the exception than the rule: In most cases, even accessing the disaster areas is made impossible by more floods and landslides,
 by snow or risk for aid workers' safety in high tension areas.

Thousands of survivors found shelter in vast tent camps set up by NGOs. Among them was the Norwegian Afghanistan Committee, for whom I was working as a geologist. But a quick response is
 more the exception than the rule: In most cases, even accessing the disaster areas is made impossible by more floods and landslides,
 by snow or risk for aid workers' safety in high tension areas.

Thousands of survivors found shelter in vast tent camps set up by NGOs. Among them was the Norwegian Afghanistan Committee, for whom I was working as a geologist. But a quick response is
 more the exception than the rule: In most cases, even accessing the disaster areas is made impossible by more floods and landslides,
 by snow or risk for aid workers' safety in high tension areas.

NGOs have generally to work under police protection, as Taliban (and now also ISIS) may attack at any time. Weapons are a constant presence.

NGOs have generally to work under police protection, as Taliban (and now also ISIS) may attack at any time. Weapons are a constant presence.

NGOs have generally to work under police protection, as Taliban (and now also ISIS) may attack at any time. Weapons are a constant presence, also under meetings where Disaster Risk Reduction measures are discussed with representatives of the local communities.

NGOs have generally to work under police protection, as Taliban (and now also ISIS) may attack at any time. Weapons are a constant presence, also under meetings where Disaster Risk Reduction measures are discussed with representatives of the local communities.

NGOs have generally to work under police protection, as Taliban (and now also ISIS) may attack at any time. Weapons are a constant presence, also under meetings where Disaster Risk Reduction measures are discussed with representatives of the local communities.

NGOs have generally to work under police protection, as Taliban (and now also ISIS) may attack at any time. Weapons are a constant presence, also under meetings where Disaster Risk Reduction measures are discussed with representatives of the local communities.

Taliban have traditionally been a relatively subdued presence in Badakhshan. My hope and impression, when meeting them, was that they'd recognize the need for the NGO's efforts to improve life conditions in those valleys.

Taliban have traditionally been a relatively subdued presence in Badakhshan. My hope and impression, when meeting them, was that they'd recognize the need for the NGO's efforts to improve life conditions in those valleys.

NGOs like the Norwegian Afghanistan Committee are welcome in the local communities, where their important role in improving safety, health and education is widely acknowledged.

NGOs like the Norwegian Afghanistan Committee are welcome in the local communities, where their important role in improving safety, health and education is widely acknowledged.

NGOs like the Norwegian Afghanistan Committee are welcome in the local communities, where their important role in improving safety, health and education is widely acknowledged.

NGOs like the Norwegian Afghanistan Committee are welcome in the local communities, where their important role in improving safety, health and education is widely acknowledged.

NGOs like the Norwegian Afghanistan Committee are welcome in the local communities, where their important role in improving safety, health and education is widely acknowledged.

NGOs like the Norwegian Afghanistan Committee are welcome in the local communities, where their important role in improving safety, health and education is widely acknowledged.

NGOs like the Norwegian Afghanistan Committee are welcome in the local communities, where their important role in improving safety, health and education is widely acknowledged.

NGOs like the Norwegian Afghanistan Committee are welcome in the local communities, where their important role in improving safety, health and education is widely acknowledged.

NGOs like the Norwegian Afghanistan Committee are welcome in the local communities, where their important role in improving safety, health and education is widely acknowledged.

NGOs like the Norwegian Afghanistan Committee are welcome in the local communities, where their important role in improving safety, health and education is widely acknowledged.

NGOs like the Norwegian Afghanistan Committee are welcome in the local communities, where their important role in improving safety, health and education is widely acknowledged.

NGOs like the Norwegian Afghanistan Committee are welcome in the local communities, where their important role in improving safety, health and education is widely acknowledged.

NGOs like the Norwegian Afghanistan Committee are welcome in the local communities, where their important role in improving safety, health and education is widely acknowledged.

NGOs like the Norwegian Afghanistan Committee are welcome in the local communities, where their important role in improving safety, health and education is widely acknowledged.

NGOs like the Norwegian Afghanistan Committee are welcome in the local communities, where their important role in improving safety, health and education is widely acknowledged.

But disasters like the Ab-e-Barik landslide of 2014 will continue to happen. As landslides, erosion and climate change make agricultural soil rare, millions of people will been driven to flee the inhospitable regions of Afghanistan and seek better life conditions elsewhere. From Badakhshan, the way into Tajikistan, China and from there the world is short.

But disasters like the Ab-e-Barik landslide of 2014 will continue to happen. As landslides, erosion and climate change make agricultural soil rare, millions of people will been driven to flee the inhospitable regions of Afghanistan and seek better life conditions elsewhere. From Badakhshan, the way into Tajikistan, China and from there the world is short.